Using Some as an Adverb: Usage Guide

Adverb

When some is used to modify a number, it is almost always a round number
a community of some 150,000 inhabitants
but because some is slightly more emphatic than about or approximately it is occasionally used with a more exact number in an intensive function.
an expert parachutist, he has some 115 jumps to his credit — Current Biography
When some is used without a number, most commentators feel that somewhat is to be preferred. Their advice is an oversimplification, however; only when some modifies an adjective, usually a comparative, will somewhat always substitute smoothly. When some modifies a verb or adverb, and especially when it follows a verb, substitution of somewhat may prove awkward.
Italy forced me to grow up some— E. W. Brooke
I'm not a prude; I've been around some in my day — Roy Rogers
here in Newport, both Southern Cross and Courageous practiced some more — W. N. Wallace

Examples of some in a Sentence

Adjective

Can I have some water?
She had some interest in the job.
I have some money left, but not much.
I hope I've been of some help.
We met some years ago.
He spoke at some length about his problems.

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'some.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.